Safety device for multiple sash windows



Sept. 11, 1956 c. HOBBS 2,762,086

SAFETY DEVICE FOR MULTIPLE SASH WINDOWS Filed May 20, 1952 INVENTOR. CLARENCE HOBBS BY LP/ ma A TTOR/VEY United States Patent SAFETY DEVICE FOR MULTIPLE SASH WINDOWS Clarence Hobbs, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Universal Window Co., Berkeley, Calif., a corporation of California Application May 20, 1952, Serial No. 288,778

2 Claims. (Cl. 20-42) refer to the outwardly swinging awning type sash of the kind disclosed in my assignees patents issued to Esrnond F. Wiley numbered Reissue 20,878, 2,158,714 and 2,232,297. All of the above mentioned patents, as well as others, .disclose a window which comprises a plurality of sashes mounted for swinging movement in a single frame and embodying operating mechanism whereby all of the several sashes in any one frame may be opened and closed by manipulation of one sash which is usually the lower most sash of the group and is commonly referred to as the control sash. The patents also disclose means for rendering the connection between sashes inelfective whereby the single or control sash may be opened and closed independently of the others. In these prior patents the several sashes are described as being connected together by means of travel bars. However, the lower or control sash has a releasable connection with the travel bar generally referred to as a shoe or clutch. The construction of the shoe or clutch mechanism is such that upon manipulation of the control sash from a closed to an open position all of the connected sashes will be opened. Upon subsequent closing movement however of the control sash, the clutch has assumed a released position and the control sash or lower sash may be closed while the other sashes remain open. The construction of the clutch is such that upon the next opening movement of the control sash, reengagement is efiected and when the control sash is again closed, the other sashes will be closed with it.

These windows have been found to present a hazard where they are used in a ground floor room in such a position that the lower or control sash projects ontwardly when open into the path of the persons walking close to the exterior of the building. This is particularly true in schools where this type of window is frequently used and where the childrens play area extends up to the building wall. Under these circumstances, if the lowermost sash, which is only a few feet from the ground, is left in its fully opened position, it presents a hazardous obstacle to children at play.

It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to provide a multiple sash window of the type described with means to prevent the lower or control sash from being left in its full open position without interfering with the normal operation of the window in which manipulation of the control sash serves to actuate the other sashes.

Further and more specific objects and advantages of the invention and a preferred structure for carrying it into practice are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification.

In the present disclosure I have, for purposes of illustration, shown the invention applied to the structure of 2,762,086 Patented Sept.- 1 1, 1956 ice 2 the Wiley patent, 2,158,714 hereinabove mentioned, bu the application of the invention to other multiple sash windows will be apparent from the following description.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the hardware employed on one side of a multiple sash window with the sashes illustrated in broken lines and showing the present invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail in elevation of the clutch mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line Ill-J11 of Fig. 1 and also showing the window frame and parts associated therewith; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevation of the lowermost portion of the hardware shown in Fig. 1 illustrating the position of a spring which forms a part of the present invention.

A general understanding of the operation of a multiple sash window of the kind to which the present invention is applied may be had from Fig. l in which three sashes are illustrated in broken lines at 19 as having been swung to their open positions. Each sash 10 is supported between a pair of hinge arms 11, one being shown as screwed to the side of each sash and as being pivoted at 12 to a shoe 13 carried for vertical sliding movement in a track 14 secured to the window frame by screws as shown in Fig. 3. A pair of links 15 is provided for each sash and these links are pivoted at one end to the window frame as indicated at 16 and at their oppositeends to the hinge arms as indicated at 17. When a sash is swung to its open position, it pivots about its connection with the link 15 and its associated shoe 13 slides downwardly in the track 14. Similarly upon closing movement of the sash the shoe 13 slides upwardly in the track 14. Travel bars 13 form connections between the shoes 13 through adjustable fittings shown at 19 to compel simultaneous movement of all the shoes 13 and therefore cause all of the sashes to open and close upon manipulation of a single sash.

In order to make the lowermost sash 10 an independently operable control sash, a clutch mechanism generally indicated at 2?. and shown in detail in Fig. 2 connects the lowermost travel bar 18 with the lower sash. This clutch mechanism is fully described in the Wiley patent, 2,158,714, and includes a pair of pivoted tumblers 22 and 23 adapted to cooperate with the lowermost end of the travel bar 18 to effect engagement with and release therefrom in the sequence presently to be described, though the specific structure and manner of operation of the clutch will not be described herein as it is well known and does not form a part of the present invention.

The operation of the sashes shown in Fig. 1 starting with the clutch 21 in an engaged position and the sashes closed is as follows. Upon opening of the lowermost sash 10, the upper sashes are also swung to an open position. However, as the lowermost sash is closed, the clutch 21 is disengaged so that the uppermost sashes are left open. Upon the next opening of the lowermost sash to the angle at which the other sashes have been opened, the clutch reengages thus establishing a condition which will result in all of the sashes being closed when the lowermost sash is closed. This completes a cycle of operation so that all of the sashes may again be opened by opening movement of the control sash.

Now assuming that all sashes are swung to their open position, it is apparent from Fig. 1 that the lowermost sash 10, if only a few feet from the ground outside the building, presents a hazard to persons moving about in that area. The present invention, therefore, provides means for automatically returning the lowermost sash 7 most' link 15.

to the position indicated in dotted lines where it is project to a dangerous angle;- This is accomplished in part by a spring shown at 25in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, secured at its lower end to an anchor plate 26, best shown in Fig Z'as faStenedt one side vof the clutch 21 by means of screw's27, The upper end of the spring '25- isanchored by a wood 'screw'28 "shown in'Fig. 3 as threaded into the wooden frame member which is illustrated a,t"29.

' The frame member. is rabbeted forreception of the track '14 and associated hardware, as is also atstc-p member 30 which vserves as an abutment for the sash 10 and concealsthe hardware. The rabbeting in the frame 29 and stop member 30 is sufli ciently extensive to include.

the spring 25. As the springflis stretchedor'tensioned 'upon' opening of the lower sash, it will draw the clutch member '21 upwardly inithe track 14 and-thus swing the lower sash toward its closed position as soon as it has been released. The spring 25 is tensioned to close the lower sash to approximately the positionillustrated in dotted linesinfFig. 1. In order to prevent further closing of thelow'er'sash as by gravity "or Wind pressure, a second spring shown at 32 in.F igs. 1 and .4 is associated with'the track '14 and the lower partof the lower- Spring 3J2 is a torsion'spring held in place by an anchor screw 33 about which it is twisted. One end of the spring engages beneath the inturned edge 7 of'thetrack 14 and the opposite end is bent overthe upper'edge of the link 15-as illustrated at 34. This spring "is tensioned toprevent closing of the lower'sash 7 beyond the dotted line position of Fig. 1 but this tensionis overcome when the lower sash is grasped manually and drawn to its closedposition. Thus the springs 25 and 32vtend to retain the sash in its safe position though their tendency to do so may be overcome'by manualmanipulation of the sash-to efiect'the cyclic opopened sufficientlyto'provide ventilation but does. not 7 eration .hereinabove described. ,The' invention is illustrated herein as applied to the hardware on oneside of the window and though one set of springs will perform the desired function, it is:preferred that the same arrangement be employed on both sides.

I claim:

1. In a multiple sash awningytype window wherein one sash controls the movement of the other sashes and is releasable '5 therefrom 1 for independent swinging movement, resilient means associated with said one sashauto- .matically to swing it toward its closed position when it is released from its controlling "relationship with the other sashes and separate resilient means tending'topre' vent complete closing of said one sash. 1

2. In \a multiplersash -wiridow of the awning type wherein all sashesiare supported ,by hinge arms fixed to the sashes and slidable vertically'in the window frame upon'opening and closing of the sashe'stand wherein all References Cited in thefile .oflthis patent V UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,659,103 Hauserfl "L; Feb. 14,1928 1,959,941 'Wiley -4; May 122, 1934 1 2,293,944 Moseley V- V Aug. '25, 1942 2,330,533 Wiley V Sept. '28, 1943 2,598,619 

